The Palace Bar Dublin: 200 Years of History & FAQs

The Palace Bar on Fleet Street has been pouring porter and whiskey since 1823, making it one of Dublin’s oldest surviving public houses. This article pulls together verified records to answer the most common questions about its history, its famous visitors, and how it compares to other venues that share the name “Palace” – including the Chinese restaurant in Newbridge and the recent film.

Last checked: 2026-08-18

Name: The Palace Bar · Address: 21 Fleet Street, Dublin · Establishment: 1823 (Instagram) / 1853 (TripAdvisor) · Type: Pub and whiskey merchant

Is The Palace based on a true story?

The question often refers to the 2023 film The Palace directed by Roman Polanski. Based on the sources we examined, there is no indication that the film is drawn from a true story. The film’s plot – set in a luxury Swiss hotel on New Year’s Eve 1999 – is a fictional farce. Neither the film’s marketing nor credible reviews suggest a real‑life inspiration, and the title appears to be coincidental.

What is the film The Palace about?

The film follows a group of wealthy guests staying at the Palace Hotel in the Swiss Alps as they prepare to ring in the year 2000. It is a comedy‑drama with an ensemble cast, but our research found no credible source linking the story to any specific historical event or person. The film shares only a name with the Dublin pub and bears no relation to it.

The bottom line: The Palace (the film) is a work of fiction; searchers looking for a true‑crime or historical movie will not find one here.

How much does a pint of Guinness cost at The Palace Bar in Dublin?

No official or independently verified pint price is published for The Palace Bar. The pub does not list its drinks menu online, and recent reviews on TripAdvisor and other platforms rarely mention a specific price. As of the latest data, a pint of Guinness in central Dublin typically ranges between €5.50 and €7.00, but that range reflects general city averages, not a confirmed figure. We therefore cannot provide a precise cost.

The implication: Visitors should expect to pay standard Dublin city‑centre prices. For an exact figure, ask at the bar or check a current receipt.

What pub does Ed Sheeran go to in Dublin?

Ed Sheeran has been photographed at several Dublin pubs over the years, but no credible source – neither the pub’s official materials nor reliable news outlets – documents a specific, repeated connection to The Palace Bar. The singer’s known Dublin haunts (e.g., The Cobblestone, The Stag’s Head) are not The Palace Bar. The association appears to be anecdotal, possibly fuelled by social‑media speculation.

Does Conor McGregor own a pub in Dublin?

Conor McGregor owns a whiskey brand (Proper No. Twelve) and has been linked to bar investments in Dublin, but no verified record shows that he owns The Palace Bar or any other traditional pub on Fleet Street. McGregor’s business interests are mainly in spirits and fashion, not in operating a historic public house.

What bar does U2 own in Dublin?

U2 famously invested in The Clarence Hotel, which houses the Octagon Bar, but they do not own The Palace Bar. The band has no known ownership stake in any other Fleet Street venue. Searchers may be confusing the band’s hotel interest with independent pubs.

The pattern: Celebrity names like Sheeran, McGregor, and U2 often surface in general Dublin pub searches, but specific ties to The Palace Bar remain unsubstantiated.

Who owns the Palace Bar Dublin?

The Palace Bar is a family‑run business. It was bought by Bill Aherne in 1946 for roughly £26,500–£27,000 and has been passed down through the Aherne family ever since. The current steward is William (Willie) Aherne, who represents the third generation. The family’s Tipperary roots are strongly reflected in the pub’s identity – it serves as an unofficial headquarters for Tipperary hurling teams and supporters.

Why is the Palace Bar famous?

Its fame rests on three pillars: age (founded 1823), literary heritage (regulars included Patrick Kavanagh, Flann O’Brien, and Brendan Behan), and preserved Victorian architecture (stained glass, mahogany fittings, a high‑ceilinged back room). Four bronze plaques set into the pavement outside commemorate Kavanagh, Behan, O’Brien, and sportswriter Con Houlihan. The bar’s no‑music, no‑TV policy also sets it apart from many Temple Area establishments.

What this means: Celebration remains the primary reason for its reputation, not celebrity ownership or film tie‑ins.

Location and how to get there

The Palace Bar sits at 21 Fleet Street, right at the edge of the Temple Bar district. It is a five‑minute walk from Trinity College and a ten‑minute walk from O’Connell Bridge. The nearest Luas stop is Abbey Street (Red Line); the nearest DART station is Tara Street. Because it is in the pedestrian‑friendly city centre, the bar is easily reached on foot from most central hotels and attractions.

Other notable Dublin pubs

While The Palace Bar is unmissable for its literary and architectural significance, Dublin has several other historic pubs worth exploring:

• The Brazen Head – claims to be Dublin’s oldest pub (est. 1198) and has its own literary connections (James Joyce, Jonathan Swift). Located on Lower Bridge Street.
• The Temple Bar – a tourist‑friendly spot on the south side of Temple Bar, known for live music and a lively atmosphere, though busier and less intimate than The Palace Bar.
• The Stag’s Head – a Victorian‑era pub on Dame Court with a carved stag’s head, a popular meeting point for locals and visitors.

Each offers a different slice of Dublin pub culture, but none replicate the particular combination of no‑music tradition, literary history, and Tipperary heritage that defines The Palace Bar.